A 19-year-old man has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving after two people were killed and eight injured in a three-car crash near Brands Hatch.

Michael Morris, of Broad Road, Swanscombe, is accused of causing the deaths of Michael Crampton and James Montegriffo, both 23, when his Vauxhall Insignia collided head-on with their Citroen Berlingo van at the junction of the A20 and Eglantine Lane, Farningham, in April.

Mr Crampton, of James Road, Dartford, and Mr Montegriffo, of Gibraltar, died at the scene.

Appearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Morris was also formally charged with seriously injuring four people in the collision, which saw the road closed for 11 hours.

Morris was travelling towards Swanley at the time of the crash.

No pleas were entered and he was released on unconditional bail to appear before Woolwich Crown Court on January 12.